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I’m so excited to finally see the grand opening of the new Sav-A-lot, formerly known as Smith’s Market of LaVergne. I feel like the store has been closed forever, missing the quality meat department and friendly, courteous staff.

I wonder if we will see some of the previous staff members, they always went above and beyond to assist you and appreciated your business.

Bobby Smith, sons Greg and Dwayne and their wives Julie and Liane will all still be involved in the store, which received money from private investors to make the switch to Save-A-Lot

Need something to do with your sweetheart this Valentine Day, stop by Willstan’s Grille, 1925 Madison Square Blvd., La Vergne, TN on Monday, February 14th from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for appetizers and fun provided by The Tanning Boutique.

No plans for Valentine’s Day??
Stop by Willstan’s & enjoy some appetizers on us!

Come hang with friends, eat some good food, & of course earn a little FREE TANNING!!

Perhaps its the low tax rate. Maybe it’s our generous water policy. But personally I think it’s the friendly villagers we should be thanking for our high ranking when it comes to being attractive to business. Don’t believe me? Look at this article in the DNJ called Think tank ranks LaVergne high for business,

In the Economic Vitality category, Smyrna was ranked seventh, Murfreesboro was ranked eighth and La Vergne was ranked ninth place.

In the Business Tax Burden category, La Vergne was ranked seventh, Smyrna was ranked 15th and Murfreesboro was ranked 29th.

In the Community Allure category, La Vergne was ranked 12th, Murfreesboro was ranked 29th and Smyrna was ranked 49th.

Right now it looks like Smyrna and Murfreesboro are ahead of us in the Economic Vitality category but we’ve left them in the dust in the categories of Business Tax Burden and Community Allure. WTG LaVergne!

Let’s sidetrack for just a bit. I have long said to whoever will listen that there is NO reason LaVergne can’t be one of the BEST places to live in Middle Tennessee. We have a lake right next door, we are but a stone’s throw from Nashville/Davidson County, great access to transportation thoroughfares, great tax rates, affordable housing, etc. AND for the most part, we are an extremely friendly group of residents.

It is hugely vindicating for LaVergne to see this report by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research – a group that is non-political, independent, not-for-profit – and to be ranked so favorably.

What we have to determine as a community (together with our new leadership) is how to translate and utilize the ranking of 6th friendliest Tennessee city to broaden our opportunities. I would like to see LaVergne work more closely with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. I would like to make sure our local industries know that where they enjoy the benefits of our low tax rates and strong work-force, they should expect to give equal support back to the community in which they are located. (Don’t get me started on how one local industry has “adopted” a low-income school in another town. They essentially enjoy the economic perks of operating their business here, but their community pay back goes elsewhere.)

It’s time the city really concentrates on the *real* things that will attract business and then all-hands-on-deck. Use county resources, state resources, and federal resources. Use our residents who have amazing backgrounds in management, business, public relations, advocacy, and community outreach. You might be shocked if you knew the finely honed talents our citizens possess. With them, we can accomplish grand ideas. Other towns have done it. We can too.

Ajax-Turner Company, Inc., distributor for the Anheuser Busch brewery company, has chosen to move their offices and distribution cetner from Nashville to La Vergne, Vice Mayor and Economic Development Chairman Jerry Gann said Sept. 15.

They will be located in Center Pointe industrial park, located at Waldron Road and I-24 in La Vergne. They will bring 250 relocated jobs to the city, Gann said.

“The relocation of Ajax-Turner creates more synergy for the area,” Gann said. “This announcement shows that the City is continuing to market itself as a prime location within Middle Tennessee and the US.”

Mayor Ronnie Erwin was pleased with the announcement.

“I’m very happy that Ajax Turner decided to relocate to La Vergne,” he noted. “This shows that companies across the country are continuing to look at La Vergne not only for its quality of life but for its logistical location to service Middle Tennessee and the rest of the country.”

The mayor said he personally met with Scott Turner, president of Ajax Turner, to get this deal to come through. In addition, he added for readers that the Dollar General Store is moving along as planned and should open in the near future. If you have any questions for the mayor, he can be reached at 394-2821.

Kudos to everyone who volunteered to make the day a success! Some photos from the morning (and I sure wish I could have stayed longer but with the separate event at my office… congrats anyway to Stephanie and everyone else who worked so hard! (And my pictures aren’t nearly as fantastic as Angie’s from the opening day of baseball…)

Don’t forget to head to Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday – this weekend – from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for the Party in the Park! Benefiting Local Flood Victims. Hosted by The Tanning Boutique and the City of LaVergne, the Party in the Park will feature live music from bands including: